Fox News executive helps fund Ohio University newsroom

Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes donated money to Ohio University to renovate a student newsroom, the college announced today (Oct. 31).

The newsroom, expected to be up and running in early 2008, is part of a larger renovation to the school's radio and television building. A dedication is being planned for April.

OU didn't disclose the amount of Ailes' donation. He graduated from the school in 1962.

"Ohio University ignited my interest in broadcasting, which became my lifetime career," Ailes said in a written statement.

The new facility will double the size of the university's existing newsroom and allow more students to participate in the school's WOUB radio station and television programs The newsroom was last upgraded in the 1960s and currently employs more than 300 students.

"This will be such a quantum leap from the studio we have," said Tim Sharp, WOUB's news director.

Ailes majored in radio and television while at Ohio University and served two years as manager of the school's radio station. Since 1994 he has funded scholarships for Ohio University students in the school's telecommunications programs.

Ailes ran CNBC in the early 1990s. He also is credited with changing cable news by making Fox News a personality-driven channel. He currently is in charge of the new Fox Business Network, which launched on Oct. 15.

To learn more about the Scripps College of Communications, go to http://www.scrippscollege.ohio.edu.